Flexible heel adjuster



Aug. 3, 194s.. y D, H HARDY 2,446,369 i FLEXIBLE HEEL ADJUSTER I Filed Sept. 50, 1947 A A A A A A AA .6 ATTRNEYE Patented Aug. 3, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,446,369 FLEXIBLE HEEL ADJUSTER Donovan H. Hardy, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application September 30, 1947, Serial No. 776,880

3 Claims. l

This invention relates to an adjustable heel saver.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable heel saver for shoes which will lie in an inclined fashion within the heel so as not to interfere with the spring of the heel but at the same time provide a hard metal wear surface and wherein an anchor is provided upon the screw for fixing the device within the heel and against axial displacement.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an adju-stable heel saver which is of simple construction, easy to provide within the heel, inexpensive to manufacture, and eicient in operation.

For a, better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary rear portion of a shoe shown in section and including the adjustable heel saver of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the heel showing in full the ends of the heel saver.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the adjustable internally threaded sleeve.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the screw which serves as an anchor for the sleeve.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the same screw.

Fig. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional View of the anchor screw taken on line 6--6 of Fig. 5.

Referring now to the figures, I0 represents a shoe having a rubber heel II in which the adjustable heel saver of the present invention is disposed. This adjustable heel saver comprises an internally threaded sleeve I2 and an anchor screw I3 which has a flattened and bent portion I4 serving as an anchor for retaining the heel saver within the heel II. My heel saver is extended at an angle from a central portion of the heel and toward the rear and side of the heel where the major portion of the wear takes place. If it is desired to adjust the sleeve I2 upon the screw I3 a tool I6 is extended into the sleeve and into tight engagement therewith so that as the tool is turned the sleeve will be moved in or out of the opening containing the same. Accordingly, as the rubber material wears about the heel and it is desired to adjust the sleeve to remain tlush with the wear surface on the heel, the sleeve I2 will be adjusted inwardly.

If the sleeve extends at an angle within the heel II', a large wear surface as indicated at I1 is had. Because of the manner in which the saver is disposed within the heel material, the same can spring with the rubber material, a pressure is brought to bear upon the heel.

By virtue of the attened and bent portion of the screw I3, which is embedded in the rubber material, the screw will positively be prevented from turning.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and Scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An adjustable heel saver compri-sing a sleeve having internal threads, a screw having a. bent portion serving to anchor the screw in the heel material whereby to prevent the turning of the screw when the sleeve is adjusted thereon, said bent portion extending to one side of the axis of the screw.

2. An adjustable heel saver comprising a sleeve having internal threads, a screw having a bent portion serving to anchor the screw in the heel material whereby to prevent the turning of the screw when the sleeve is adjusted thereon, said bent portion extending to one side of the axis of the screw, said bent portion being attened whereby to provide a, large contact area of the screw with the heel material.

3. In combination, a shoe heel having an opening extending from forward portion of the heel downwardly and rearwardly toward the rear of the heel, a wear-resisting sleeve extending through the opening and terminating at the rear of the heel to provide a, wear surface thereat, and means for flxing the sleeve to the heel material to prevent its displacement within the opening, said means for retaining the sleeve within the heel material comprising a screw, said sleeve being internally threaded and being adjustable on the screw, said screw having a. bent portion adapted to be embedded in the heel material to retain the screw and the sleeve against axial displacement through the shoe material.

DONOVAN H. HARDY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 

